Ex-dolphin Stephenson Close

HALL OF FAME

PHOENIX - — Former Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson came as close to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as possible without making it for the second year in a row.

Among the seven finalists, only Stephenson and former Patriots and Raiders cornerback Mike Haynes were not elected to the Hall of Fame on Saturday. For Stephenson, it was the second consecutive year that he made it to the final cut before failing to be elected.

"It's like torture, to put him in the final seven again and not make it," said Dinah Stephenson, his wife. Stephenson was away from his Miami Lakes home and could not be reached.

Stephenson, who played eight seasons and was All-Pro from 1983-87, was among 15 candidates. The group was pared to 10 and then seven before the panel of 36 voters selected former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, Cardinals offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf, Chargers receiver Charlie Joiner, Dallas defensive back Mel Renfro and Detroit offensive lineman Lou Creekmur.

Stephenson automatically will be among the 15 voted upon next year. Stephenson was introduced for discussion by Miami Herald columnist Edwin Pope.

"Maybe I didn't do a very good job of presenting him, because I thought he was going to get in," Pope said. Stephenson's career was short, ending because of a injury to his left knee.

Although several longtime football writers, including Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman, consider Stephenson the best center in NFL history, the brevity of his career hurt him with other voters.

"He's going to get in one day, it just may take a while," Pope said. "Look at Renfro, it took him 12 years."